I am probably going to order a laptop this week. I will be using the laptop as a replacement to my desktop, so it will get HEAVY use.

I do not plan on getting a mac. The learning curve just won't suit my immediate needs. So, what do y'all think? Which brand do you prefer?

I'm looking to possibly get one with a 17-inch screen, but someone cautioned me about the weight. I spend so much time on the computer that I really want to see well.

I'm also planning on getting a minimum of 2gb, possibly 4gb.

I really, really don't want to be repairing anything soon.

Anyhow, I thank you in advance!!

:muah:

auburnchick

09-02-2007 07:58 PM

Thought I'd share this...

Here's an article from USA Today. It's about Dell customers having to wait quite a while for their newly ordered laptops because of the lack of parts available. So, I'm a bit leery, despite liking Dells.

Knitting_Guy

09-02-2007 08:19 PM

I prefer Dell myself. I've put this one through some heavy on the road use and it's always done well for me.

Julie

09-02-2007 08:23 PM

I'm very Dell-loyal myself, but Toshiba laptops get pretty decent reviews as far as reliability goes -- I wouldn't hesitate to get one if the deal was right. :)

stitchwitch

09-02-2007 08:52 PM

I had two Dell desktops and one Dell laptop. The laptop almost got thrown in the trash the first year. It blew out a fan and a monitor and the Dell warranty service was so slow. They would say the parts were backordered blah, blah, blah then call the next day to see how I liked my service call. I'd tell them it wasn't fixed yet because the parts were on backorder, this went on for weeks until I got so pissed one night when they called I told the guy I was throwing it in the trash. The next day some local guy came with the parts and fixed it.
I'm leaning towards a Toshiba next, I've heard positive things about them, either that or a Sony Vaio. I don't think I'd go Dell again because of my experience with their service.

vaknitter

09-02-2007 09:14 PM

another Dell lover here. My brother is a computer programmer and that's what he recommended to me years ago. I had a Dell PC and now a laptop (Inspiron 5100) that I bought for grad school so over the last 5 yrs it has been dragged to and from class and conferences not to mention being run over by the dogs. My hubby also has one that he bought for grad school - his has more umph than mine as he is completing his PhD and runs Matlab and a lot of engineering programs on his. Neither of us have ever had to use Dell service.

Braden

09-02-2007 09:16 PM

Dell!

iza

09-03-2007 09:15 AM

I have a Dell laptop now (Inspiron 1500), and I went with it because it was the only computer I could have with XP. I bought it in July and I have no complains, it does what I want. I never had to deal with their customer service so I can't comment on that.

When I was doing my Ph.D., the lab had a Toshiba and I think if I had the choice I would have gone with that. I think the design was a bit better, and it seemed to weigh less, which for me is a BIG thing since I'm only 95 pounds and have to drag this thing in public transportation. :wall: . Of course you can buy ultra light laptops but... they are extremely expensive. :shock:

mulene

09-03-2007 09:50 AM

I know its not on the list but I do love my IBM T42P - they don't look very sexy but they sure take the knocks and bumps and its very sturdy!

ecb

09-03-2007 10:04 AM

I will never get a Dell again, I might accept one as a gift for my 9yo to play with as soon as it breaks with normal use like mine did.
I bought one, had a bad experience with the unit as well as the lack of customer support, I sent them a letter, and a couple years later I actually got a call of someone actually whanting to know what went wrong, and why I felt I had gotten such a bad deal.
other people whose opinions I reespected convinced me to try again, so i bought a set for 2 of my kids. One of them had a bad motherboard, and the (*&^*&%^*&^&_ customer support dragged out the repairs until the warranty was out, The other one still works, but its slow and bogged down, i have cleaned it up the HD a few times, and gotten things working well, but the system cannot hold up to normal daily uses. I have a Compaq, that has bought HP apparently, The unit is sound, have not had to wipe the HD yet and its handeled some hard knocks, and from what I saw the one time I took it for a tune up (baseline) that it was an expandable unit unlike the Compaq's of old